Ouch: Floyd to DL, too

The injuries just keep coming for the Rays, with the news Wednesday that DH Cliff Floyd will have surgery Friday to repair a tear in the medial meniscus in his right knee, was placed on the 15-day DL and replaced on the roster by OF Justin Ruggiano.That follows Tuesday night's move to RHP Matt Garza on the DL with irritation of the radial nerve in his right arm.Both could be out 4-6 weeks, according to manager Joe Maddon."Not a good news day for the Rays,'' he said.Floyd was scratched from the lineup Monday in New York with the Rays said was right knee soreness, but was said to be available to pinch-hit the last two games. But the soreness apparently persisted, and he underwent an MRI on Wednesday that showed the tear. Though Maddon said Floyd, 35, is likely to miss 4-6 weeks, Floyd said he hoped to be back in about three. Floyd started four games and was hitting .333 with two homers and 5 RBIs.Ruggiano was an early cut in spring training, but was the first option to be recalled since he is already on the 40-man roster. In six games at Durham, Ruggiano was hitting .304 with one homer and 6 RBIs. He wil start tonight in rightfield, and figures to be out there against lefthanded pitchers, with Jonny Gomes as the DH.Againts righthanded starters, the Rays are planning to use Eric Hinske at DH and Nathan Haynes in rightfield, Maddon said.The Rays now have eight players on the DL: starters Scott Kazmir and Garza, catcher Dioner Navarro, infielder Ben Zobrist, outfielders Rocco Baldelli and Floyd, and relievers Kurt Birkins and Chad Orvella. Three have been hurt since the season started nine days ago - Floyd, Garza and Navarro.

Also:

* Scott Kazmir will throw another batting practice session before advancing to minor-league games, which would seem to push his projected return back to the end of April. The Rays had talked about moving him next to an extended spring game but Maddon said made a "cumulative call" to have him throw another BP session.

* Garza had an MRI on his right arm that he said showed "everything's fine" but he won't throw for at least five days, and will be reevaluated in two weeks. He also said he plans to be cautious in his comeback after seeing how former Twins teammate Francisco Liriano was injured.

* Jae Kuk Ryu was called up from Triple-A Durham to help out the heavily used bullpen for the next several days, but the Rays are saying they are likely to have someone else take Garza's next start on Sunday. Maddon ruled out long reliever J.P. Howell, which sure makes it seem likely that Jeff Niemann will be called up from Triple-A to make his first major-league start on Sunday.

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The Tampa Bay Rays will head into the 2015 season with Evan Longoria, Chris Archer, Alex Cobb and plenty of new faces, including manager Kevin Cash. Can they upend the Orioles in the highly competitive AL East? Come here to follow Rays news at Tropicana Field and beyond.